Media Relations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary :

Reporting to the Editorial Director, the Media Relations Manager works to connect new and existing audiences with Unbound’s innovative approach to challenging global poverty.

Within a collaborative team environment, the manager will be responsible for developing and implementing Unbound’s public relations program to raise awareness of Unbound’s mission, our work with families living in poverty, the challenges and capabilities of those participating in our programs, and the important role sponsors and other supporters play as they make a direct impact and transform lives as partners in a global community of compassion.

This position requires a positive and engaging collaborative spirit, sharp communication skills, strong attention to detail and excellent follow-through.

Key Accountabilities :

• Develop and execute media relations strategies : In collaboration with organizational and department leadership, develop and implement public relations strategies that align with Unbound’s values and goals, raise awareness of Unbound’s view of people living in poverty as leaders in their own development, and position the organization as a thought leader and innovator in the international development space.
• Build relationships and communicate with journalists and other media : Work with journalists and other media members to generate coverage of Unbound at the local and national levels.
• Manage relationships with public relations consultants and media monitoring vendors : Engage external partners as needed to assist in the development and execution of media relations strategies, tactics, monitoring and reporting of results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and implement public relations strategies that align with the organization’s values and goals and position Unbound as a thought leader and innovator in international development.
• Create quarterly goals for media relations based on organizational and department priorities, implement tactics to achieve goals and report on progress made.
• Build and nurture relationships with reporters, editors, producers and bloggers in the U.S. print, broadcast and online media (both secular and religious), and secure coverage of Unbound at the local and national levels.
• Create and distribute news releases, story pitches, news stories, feature stories, media alerts, public service announcements, social media alerts and other public relations content.
• Arrange and conduct interviews, track and report media placement results, prepare Unbound sources for interviews and serve as a spokesperson for the organization.
• Develop a network of spokespeople (headquarters staff, board members and overseas staff) and provide periodic media and brand messaging training to develop confidence and readiness to speak on behalf of Unbound.
• Manage relationships with public relations consultants and media monitoring vendors as needed to assist with developing and implementing media relations strategies and tactics, and monitoring and reporting results.
• Monitor international, national and local news, and online conversation impacting Unbound and inform leadership of breaking news and other developments.
• Maintain reference library of media coverage and online mentions of Unbound.
• Lead the development of media messaging that communicates Unbound’s distinct brand to audiences from diverse faith backgrounds.
• Collaborate with Unbound staff in identifying relevant, compelling and strategic story ideas about Unbound sponsors, sponsored friends, staff, programs and activities.
• Provide budget recommendations for media relations investments.
• Create and periodically update a crisis communications plan for the organization to ensure accurate, timely and well-coordinated communication in emergencies.
• Assist with development and planning of influencer trips including, but not limited to, researching and identifying potential participants for the trips, assisting with correspondence needs before, during and after the trip, and supporting the influencer trip either as a home-based (KC) or on-site (in-country) resource per assignment.
• Attend and represent Unbound at conferences and PR events.
• Support Unbound-hosted events, meetings and tours of the Unbound Experience Center as needed, including planning, coordination, collaboration with internal stakeholders and management of external vendors, when necessary.

Personal Characteristics & Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies and skills. (Examples)

Oral Communication Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions;

demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings.

Written Communication Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs;

presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Quality Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance;

monitors own work to ensure quality.

Urgency The job requires decisiveness and good judgment in critical situations. The job will repeatedly face important deadlines that must be met;

works productively on deadline and can respond quickly to time-sensitive media requests.

Writing Must be familiar with AP style and journalistic writing and remain up to date on best practices of storytelling and messaging.

Edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Problem Solving Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions;

works well in group problem-solving situations. Willingness to take and act upon feedback.

• Analytical Uses intuition and experience to complement data.
• Self-Management Ability to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames;
• ability to pursue organizational objectives in an organized and efficient manner; ability to prioritize activities to meet job responsibilities;

ability to maintain required level of activity toward achieving goals without direct supervision; and ability to minimize workflow disruptions to complete high quality work within a specified time frame.

Qualifications and Experience : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (Examples)

• Four-year degree in marketing, communications, public relations or journalism preferred, or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Working knowledge and aptitude for learning various tools / technologies and media, especially social media and web-based communications, as they relate to public relations.
• Availability for occasional domestic and international travel.
• Bilingual in Spanish / English or other relevant languages is a plus.

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Frequently required to sit, stand and walk.
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms.
• Required to talk and hear consistently.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry and / or drag up to 50 pounds if necessary.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job;

reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Unbound will not sponsor applicants for work visas.